QUICK TIPS FOR

HOT SPOT/SOLANA SPAS

3117 S Campbell Ave, Springfield, MO FOR YEARS 2002-2008

(417) 883-8827

Please Note: Tips on the following 2 pages are designed for “quick” reference.

Always refer to your Owner’s Manual for more detailed information.

Water Care Tips

Fresh Fill

  • Once the spa has been filled, and power is on: It is recommended that you bring a water sample into our store for analysis, because source water can change over time. Water must have sanitizer added within 36 hours of the spa being up to temperature and before use. Add sanitizer first, then wait at least 24 hours to test and adjust Ph and Total Alkalinity.

Weekly Care

  1. For All Types of Systems: Test Total Alkalinity, pH, and sanitizer first.
  2. Adjust Total Alkalinity and/or pH as needed (always adjust Total Alkalinity first if needed) Note:These adjustments may take up to 24 hours to register
  3. For AG+ Silver Ion Spas:
  4. Add every time you use the spa: Spa Shock 1.5 tbspper 100 gallons
  5. Add weekly: Stain and Scale Control 1 ounce per 300 gallons
  6. Add weekly: Chlorinating Concentrate ½ tsp per 100 gallons
  7. Change AG+ Silver Cartridge every 4 months, at drain and refill of spa
  8. Do NOT use any liquid water clarifiers with this system.
  9. For Chlorine Spas:
  10. Add weekly: Stain and Scale Control 1 ounce per 300 gallons
  11. Add weekly: Chlorinating Concentrate 1 tsp per 100 gallons
  12. For Bromine Spas:
  13. Add weekly: Stain and Scale Control 1 ounce per 300 gallons
  14. Add weekly: Enhanced Spa Shock 1.5 tbsp per 100 gallons
  15. Add weekly: Bromine Concentrate if needed to maintain level, 1 tsp per 200 gallons
  16. For Softsoak (Biguanide) Spas:
  17. Only when spa is refilled: Add 5 ounces per 150 gallons
  18. Add weekly: Stain and Scale Control 1 ounce per 150 gallons
  19. Add weekly: Spa Shock 3 ounces per 150 gallons if heavy use, 1.5 ounces if not
  20. Add weekly: Sanitizer, only if tested low or zero on strip, 0.4 ounces per 150 gallons

Tips for adding chemicals to spa:

  • Water care products should be added directly into spa body with jets running, except Cal Hardness
  • Calcium Hardness Increaser always goes in filter compartment slowly, with jets running
  • Always run jets 10 minutes after adding any product to increase circulation
  • Leave cover open for 30 minutes after adding shock, chlorine, or bromine.
  • Always wait 30 minutes after adding any product before adding Softsoak based Sanitizer.
  • Water chemistry is very important as improper water chemistry can lead to corrosion or calcification of equipment, which is NOT covered under manufacturer’s warranty.

Orientation

  • Information on spa operations, water testing and chemical usage, and troubleshooting is available free of charge at our store. If you would like to have your water tested at our lab, please bring 8 – 12 ounces of water out of the spa in a clean container. Test takes about 5 minutes.

Quick Tips

Filling your spa

  1. To minimize airlocks in the equipment, put hose down the center of the circulation filter in the filter compartment.
  2. Turn hose on. This will fill the spa through the heater, pumps and jets pushing most of the air out of the lines.
  3. Fill the spa to the bottom of the pillows or above the jets.
  4. For 240V spas, turn on the 50 amp breaker and run the jets 10 minutes. For 120V spas, plug in and run jets for 10 minutes. Either way, turn the diverter handle (if spa is equipped with one) slowly 360°
  5. If refilling spa, bring water sample in for analysis. Hardness, pH and metal levels can change from one refill to another.
  6. It is recommended to balance spa water. Test and balance Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, and pH immediately after refilling, then sanitize within 36 hours.
  7. Spas on 240V may take up to 15 hours to heat, and 120V spas may take up to 36 hours.

Spa not heating (or Flashing “-.-.-.” on controls)

  1. Your spa will stop heating due to low flow through the heater in order to keep the heater from being damaged. No heat can also be caused by an inoperative heating element, flow switch, or thermostat. If after you follow the low flow instructions, your spa does not rise in temperature within 24 hours, call our store to schedule a service call.
  2. Check your filter to make sure that it is clean, even inside the pleats. Debris or oil buildup in the filter can restrict flow and cause the spa not to heat. If you have not used a Filter Cleaner/Degreaser in the past 4 months, use it now. If you have not replaced the filter in the last 2 years, buy a new filter. For purposes of this test, take the filter out of the spa and set it on the ground.
  3. Turn power off to the spa. Remove the door to the equipment compartment. Most models will have a hi limit reset button located on one side of the control box. You may have to loosen and lift the cover to the control box to find it. Locate the reset button and push it in firmly. Wait 5 minutes, then turn power back on to spa and let run for 4 – 6 hours, long enough for you to know whether it is heating or not. If the spa starts to heat, replace the control box and equipment doors securely. Clean your filter before replacing it in the spa.
  4. If the spa does not heat after this test, call our store to schedule a service call. Be sure to have your serial number to the spa ready.

Flashing “----“ on controls (2006-2008) or flashing 3 diamonds (2002-2005)

  1. Did you remember to put the hose down the center of the filter standpipe and clean your filter?
  2. If No, the pump may have an airlock, or the filter may have tripped the hi limit. Reset the hi limit (see Spa Not Heating instructions above) first.
  3. Turn power to the spa off.
  4. Take basket assembly or cap off the filter. Place your garden hose down the standpipe, at least 12 inches should be in standpipe. Take a hand towel or rag and wrap around the hose to form a seal between the filter and the hose. You do not want any air escaping back this way.
  5. Turn hose on and let run for 30 seconds. You might see air bubbles starting to come up from the floor or side of the spa. Remove hose and rag, replace basket or cap on filter, and turn power back on to spa.
  6. Turn jets on and let run for 5 minutes. This will ensure that water fills all of the equipment components, even the jet pump. Any residual air will be forced out.
  7. If flashing “----“ stops, then the problem has been corrected.
  8. If flashing”----“ continues, call the store to schedule a service call. Please have your serial number handy.

Locking/Unlocking Spa and/or Locking/Unlocking Spa Temperature on control panel (2006-2008)

  1. To lock/unlock the spa, press the “set” button and then (the word “set” will be flashing) press “temperature up” button once. Wait 10 seconds before pressing any other buttons.
  2. To lock/unlock spa’s temperature, press the “set” button and then (the word “set” will be flashing) press “temperature down” button once. Wait 10 seconds before pressing any other buttons.

No Jet Pressure/Priming the pumps

Upon filling or refilling the spa, if a pump is operating and water is not flowing from any of its jets, the

Pump may not be properly primed (have water in it). To correct, perform the following procedure.

  1. Turn power off to the spa at the breaker(s) and remove the equipment compartment door.
  2. Locate the jet pump, (usually has a Wavemaster sticker on it) and loosen the union on the top of the pump slightly (1/2 to 1 turn) to allow air to escape. When water starts seeping out, tighten the union down again. Take care not to over-tighten the union nut, hand tight is fine. Perform this action for each pump in the equipment compartment.
  3. Turn power to the spa back on, activate the pump(s) and check to make sure union is tight enough to keep it from leaking under pressure.
  4. Replace equipment compartment door.

Draining Your Spa (3 – 4 times per year)

  1. Turn the power to the spa off by turning the breakers off or unplug from the wall.
  2. Locate drain on the front of the spa or in the equipment compartment area. See your Owner’s Manual for exact location of drain.
  3. Attach garden hose to the drain, and open the valve to allow water out.
  4. After the spa has drained, close the drain valve again and replace the drain cap.
  5. If winterizing the spa, follow detailed steps in your Owner’s Manual or contact our store for assistance. Damage caused to the spa by improper winterization techniques is not covered under the manufacturer’s warranty, and can be quite costly to repair.
  6. DO NOT change your spa water when the temperature is below freezing.

Breakers/GFCI Tripping – If the breakers or GFCI on your spa is continuously tripping, call our store to schedule a service call. This usually means an inoperative component needs replaced in the equipment compartment.

Filter Maintenance - Rinse your spa’s filter with a garden hose once a month, or as needed to maintain jet pressure. Soak filter in recommended Filter Cleaner and Degreaser every 3 – 4 months.

Cover – Condition your spa’s cover monthly with a vinyl protectant to help keep it looking good. Make sure your conditioner has UV protectants in it. When cover gets too heavy to lift easily, it will need to be replaced. Heavy covers are less energy efficient, and can be unsafe, easily causing damage to the cover lift or the skirting of the spa.

Rodents – If your spa is going to be placed in an area known to be frequented by ants, termites, or like creatures, mice, rats, or other nocturnal creatures, it is your responsibility to protect your spa. Often times, these creatures can get inside your spa’s equipment compartment and chew through plumbing or wiring, causing extensive damage. Always check and cover any open holes or areas that lead to the equipment compartment with heavy duty grating. Do not use solid materials like foam or boards, as this cuts off needed air going to the pumps. Damage to the spa’s equipment components or internal plumbing as a result of pest/rodent infestation is NOT covered under your warranty.

If you follow these maintenance tips, your spa will easily provide you with years of worry-free use. Enjoy!